30 Days of Thanksgiving

In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul boldly declares, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”

It’s easy to allow life’s uncertainties and disappointments lead us to the depths of despair. How on earth is one supposed to stay content in all circumstances– especially the unpleasant ones?

By letting the Lord work in our hearts and teach us to cultivate an attitude of thankfulness.

It was during a particularly stressful season in life that I began to ponder, what are some ways I can cultivate an attitude of contentment, even when life feels like a shaken snow-globe?

Thus,30 Days of Thanksgivingwas born!

What?

30 Days of Thanksgiving is a month-long challenge, inspired by John Kralik’s book, 365 Thank Yous. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, isto write and deliver one thank-you note every day for the next month.

The Catch:

There are so many different ways to write a “Thank You”! Sticky notes, white boards, dry-erase marker on the mirror, cake frosting– this challenge is just begging you to use your creative genius! HOWEVER, there is one catch: your notes must be hand-written. Yup! No email, FaceBook, or text messaged thank-yous for this mission!

Why?

Why bother writing a note by hand when computers are more convenient, you may ask? In fact, why bother with a month of thank-you notes at all? Well…

* Writing our notes by hand requires us to put extra thought and effort behind what we’re thankful for and why. While email may be more convenient, it doesn’t cause us to stop and think the way a pen and paper do. Plus, in these technological days, hand-written notes seem so much more special! People will appreciate the fact that you took the time and energy to thank them.

*By choosing to write one thank-you per day, we train ourselves to find the good in every situation–the pleasant and non-pleasant. Choosing to think about why we appreciate another person causes us to take the focus off of ourselves and learn to cultivate that attitude of contentment Paul talked about. And, if for no other reason, by the end of the month, you will have made thirty people’s day! What’s not to love about that?!

Who says we have to wait until Thanksgiving to think about gratitude? God is wonderful every day of the year–not just the fourth Thursday of November! Life is full of incredible reasons to be thankful! So….what are you waiting for?